who would get
hold of it first, Ramiro and his crew, and that is why I have been left
safe so long, because the thieves strive one against the other and watch
each other. Most of all, however, they watch me and everything that is
mine. For though they do not believe that I should send the treasure
away and stay behind, yet they are not sure."

"You think that they will pursue us, then?" asked Foy.

"For certain. Messengers arrived from Leyden to announce your coming two
hours before you set foot in the town, and it will be wonderful indeed
if you leave it without a band of cut-throats at your heels. Be not
deceived, lad, this business is no light one."

"You say the little boat sails fast, master?" queried Martin.

"She sails fast, but perhaps others are as swift. Moreover, it may
happen that you will find the mouth of the canal blocked by the
guardship, which was sent there a week ago with orders to search every
craft that passes from stem to stern. Or--you may slip past her."

"My master and I are not afraid of a few blows," said Martin, "and we
are ready to take our risks like brave men; still, Mynheer Brant, this
seems to me a hazardous business, and one in which your money may well
get itself lost. Now, I ask you, would it not be better to take this
treasure out of the boat where you have hidden it, and bury it, and
convey it away by land?"

Brant shook his head. "I have thought of that," he said, "as I have
thought of everything, but it cannot now be done; also there is no time
to make fresh plans."

"Why?" asked Foy.

"Because day and night men are watching the boats which are known to
belong to me, although they are registered in other names, and only this
evening an order was signed that they must be searched within an hour
of dawn. My information is good, as it should be since I pay for it
dearly."

"Then," said Foy, "there is nothing more to be said. We will try to get
to the boat and try to get her away; and if we can get her away we will
try to hide the treasure, and if we can't we will try to blow her up
as you direct and try to escape ourselves. Or--" and he shrugged his
shoulders.

Martin said nothing, only he shook his great red head, nor did the
silent pilot at the table speak at all.

Hendrik Brant looked at them, and his pale, careworn face began to work.
"Have I the right?" he muttered to himself, and for an instant or two
bent his head as though in prayer. When he lifted it again his